Elon Musk sparks controversy with far-right gestures, attacks on German Chancellor Scholz at Davos; EU probes X for content moderation breaches amid rising tensions.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday he does not support freedom of speech when it is used for extreme-right views, a day after a hand gesture by U.S. billionaire Elon Musk caused uproar during Donald Trump's inauguration festivities.
"We have the freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany. Everyone can say what he wants, even if he is a billionaire. And what we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme-right positions," Scholz said in Davos when asked about the incident.
Musk's hand gesture during a celebration of President Trump's inauguration drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute. Musk dismissed the criticism as a "tired" attack.
"Shame on Oaf Schitz," Musk posted on X, the platform he owns, on Tuesday with a video clip shared by another user that showed Scholz speaking at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort. "Schitz" has no meaning in German.
Musk has previously attacked Scholz on X, calling him an "incompetent fool" who should resign after a deadly attack at a German Christmas market.
He has also used the platform formerly known as Twitter to signal his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of elections scheduled for next month.
Musk's repeated endorsement of the AfD, the party that has embraced the Trump administration most among German parties, has drawn ire in Berlin, but the German government has stopped short of unanimously leaving his platform.
The European Commission said this month that it was stepping up its investigation into whether X breached European Union rules on content moderation.
Musk's hosting of AfD leader Alice Weidel for a discussion on X this month was watched by the European Commission to check for any spreading of misinformation.
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The CDU won Germany’s national election, with Friedrich Merz set to become chancellor. The far-right AfD made significant gains, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD suffered a major setback.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated that Europe will not support any peace process that excludes Ukraine or calls for its demilitarisation, stressing that Europe’s involvement is crucial for any meaningful negotiations.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Elon Musk for using his media influence to interfere in global affairs and support far-right movements, expressing concern over its impact on democracy in Europe.
The death toll from Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has risen to 161, after forensic analysis confirmed one more victim among the charred remains at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, more than three weeks after the blaze began, authorities said on Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump on 29 December in Florida, where he is expected to present a package of military options regarding Iran, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported on Saturday.
The United States has suspended the Diversity Visa Lottery programme, commonly known as the Green Card lottery, after a deadly shooting at Brown University.
US intelligence assessments indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to seek full control of Ukraine and to expand Russia’s influence in parts of Europe formerly under Soviet rule, contradicting repeated claims that Moscow poses no threat to the continent.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 21st of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
At least 10 people have been killed and 10 wounded after gunmen opened fire at a bar in a township west of Johannesburg, police said on Sunday, in the second mass shooting in South Africa this month.
Japan and five Central Asian nations have unveiled a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening critical minerals supply chains and fostering broader regional cooperation, following their first summit in Tokyo on Saturday.
The United States has proposed a potential new format for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, which could include American and European representatives, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday, December 20.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Baghdad on Saturday evening for an official visit, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed.
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